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Dew will make toss vital in Australia series: Dhoni

New Delhi, Aug 19 IANS | 2 years ago

India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes that the toss will be crucial in the upcoming seven-match one-day home series against Australia in October-November, all the matches being day-nighters.

Dhoni said since all matches, including a Twenty20 game during the Oct 10-Nov 2 tour, were day-night affairs, dew would definitely be a factor and that makes winning the toss much more important.

"Australia's tour of India is important. Around that time there will be a lot of dew, so it will be vital to win the toss. We will still try to give our best in the series," said Dhoni here Monday.

On the performance of the young Indian team in Zimbabwe and South Africa, the 32-year-old said the experience will help them when India tours South Africa in November.

"The exposure the boys are getting in Zimbabwe and South Africa will help them in the long run. It will help them when they take on a quality opposition like South Africa later this year. They have done really well and the experience will help them in adjusting to conditions better," added Dhoni.

India recently won the bilateral series against Zimbabwe 5-0 while India A won a tri-series against Australia A and South Africa A last week.

The wicketkeeper-batsman also lauded vice-captain Virat Kohli, who led the side in Zimbabwe.

"I think Virat did well in Zimbabwe. He is an expressive guy and that is important. He has changed a lot in the last one year and his approach is positive. His batting performance as captain is a good sign for Indian cricket," said Dhoni.

On former captains Kapil Dev and Sourav Ganguly releasing their greatest Indian ODI and Test teams, Dhoni said he will never come out with his list.

"I don't think I will ever make my all-time greatest India team. You cannot compare one era with another as they will be different. Whether a player has played one match or a hundred, we should give him respect for what he has achieved and leave it at that. It is like, comparing two-stroke bikes with four-stroke. I don't think you will get a better product by mixing them. At least I will never make an all time list."